Vanguard [7.38c]
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1700A powerful shield that defends its wielder from even the most vicious of attacks.
A hero's steadfast shield, a sturdy and protective item that fortifies your hero's defenses against enemy attacks in the most reliable moments.
Base Combat Stats
+ 250 Health
+ 4.5 Health Regeneration
Recipe
Abilities
Passive: Damage Block
Grants a 60% chance to block 50 damage from incoming attacks on melee heroes, and 25 damage on ranged.
Additional Insights
- Multiple sources of damage block do not stack.
- Stacks with multiple damage block sources
- Perfect for heroes seeking enhanced survivability in the early stages of the game. It's an item that not only strengthens your hero's defenses but also offers a friendly shield of protection, ensuring your hero stands strong against enemy assaults in the thrilling conflicts of Dota 2!
Statistics
The statistics below shows the percentage of hero builds which contain Vanguard as a core, common or situational item for each role. These statistics are based on our hero guides.
Itemization Strategy
Your mighty shield, The criminally underrated Vanguard is purchase from the laning stage of the game as it gives a high possibility of survival in the lane thus making you a negligible target. Heroes that would love to tank are the frequent customers of this item may it be an offlaner or tanky mid hero.
Heroes with Vanguard as Core Item
A core item that makes you significantly more tanky against physical damage. Allows you to dive towers and farm much faster with Rot as the HP regen and damage block keeps you healthy. Gets upgraded to Heaven's Halberd or Crimson Guard later in the game.
Heroes countered by Vanguard
Gives you HP sustain and tankiness to take less damage from right clicks from Beastmaster and his Wild Boars.
Gives you HP sustain and tankiness to take less damage from right clicks from Broodmother and her army of Spiderlings.
Gives you HP sustain and tankiness to take less damage from Spirit Bear's and Lone Druid's right clicks.
Gives you HP sustain and tankiness to take less damage from right clicks from Lycan and his Wolf pack.
Gives you HP sustain and tankiness to take less damage from Marci's right clicks.
Gives you HP sustain and tankiness to take less damage from Troll Warlord's right clicks.
Gives you HP sustain and tankiness to take less damage from right clicks from Visage and his Familiars.
Gives you HP sustain and tankiness to take less damage from Windranger's right clicks. The damage block and damage reduction during Focus Fire significantly reduces her burst potential.
Trivia
In the earlier days of Dota and even in the transition to Dota 2, the Vanguard was often perceived as a core item for tanky heroes or those requiring additional survivability during the early to mid-game stages. However, despite its popularity, there were times when its effectiveness was debated among players due to changes in the game's mechanics and meta shifts.
